The North Western Railroad was a shortline railroad located in the western part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania in the United States. It organized in 1853, and was purchased by the Western Pennsylvania Railroad in 1859 after completing only a portion of its route.
73-530: The North Western Railroad was chartered by the state of Pennsylvania on February 9, 1853, and authorized to construct a rail line from a point at or west of Johnstown, Pennsylvania . The eastern terminus was to connect either with the Pennsylvania Railroad or the Allegheny Portage Railroad . The charter directed the railroad to pass through the towns of Freeport and Butler and proceed to
146-827: A 1,050-foot (320 m) long tunnel between Freeport and Blairsville. Three major bridges were needed. A 1,250-foot (380 m) long bridge at Freeport was required to carry the road over the Allegheny River and the Pennsylvania Canal , while the other two major bridges carried the road over the Loyalhanna and Conemaugh Rivers . The route between Blairsville and Freeport needed another 14 bridges over ravines (one 130-foot (40 m) long), and five major cuts (all of extreme depth) of 50 to 76 feet (15 to 23 m) through ridges and hilly land. Construction began in August 1853. Most of
219-405: A Spanish wind energy company, opened its first U.S. wind turbine blade manufacturing facility near here in 2006 which subsequently closed in 2014. Several wind turbines are sited on Babcock Ridge, the " Eastern Continental Divide ", along the eastern edge of Cambria and Somerset counties. Lockheed Martin relocated a facility from Greenville, South Carolina , to Johnstown in 2008. Höganäs AB,
292-551: A Swedish powdered metals manufacturer operates two plants in the region, one in the Moxham section of the city and also in nearby Hollsopple in Somerset County. Companies like Concurrent Technologies Corporation, DRS Laurel Technologies, ITSI Biosciences, Kongsberg Defense and more throughout the region are in business for themselves. Recent construction in the surrounding region, the downtown, and adjacent Kernville neighborhood—including
365-633: A campaign organized by the Chamber of Commerce, thousands of Johnstown's citizens wrote to friends and relatives across the country hoping to bring new business to the town. Professional ice hockey found a home in Johnstown, starting in 1941 with the Johnstown Blue Birds for one season and returning in 1950 with the Johnstown Jets . The Jets later hosted an exhibition game against Maurice Richard and
438-492: A leader in developing intercommunication systems among first responders , and is now a national model for ways to avoid the communications problems which faced many first responders during the September 11, 2001 attacks . Johnstown is located in southwestern Cambria County at 40°19′34″N 78°55′10″W / 40.32611°N 78.91944°W / 40.32611; -78.91944 (40.3260031, -78.9193066). According to
511-473: A library, a railroad station, electric street lights, a roller rink , and two opera houses was buried under mud and debris. Out of a population of approximately 30,000 at the time, at least 2,209 people are known to have perished in the disaster. An infamous site of a major fire during the flood was the old stone Pennsylvania Railroad bridge located where the Stonycreek and Little Conemaugh rivers join to form
584-793: A location in South Carolina . In April 2010 it was announced that the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL would call Johnstown home for 10 games during the regular season and for one of their preseason games. They returned once again for the 2011–12 season. After the 2011-2012 NAHL hockey season, the Alaska Avalanche relocated to Johnstown and became the Johnstown Tomahawks and have remained in Johnstown ever since. The city has history in amateur and professional baseball. Since 1944, Johnstown has been
657-621: A member team of the ECHL , and played their home games in the Cambria County War Memorial Arena . The Chiefs' decision to relocate caused a flood of public interest in the sport of hockey. As many as four leagues were interested in having a team in the War Memorial. In the end the city landed a deal with another ECHL team, the Wheeling Nailers , who played parts of two seasons at the War Memorial. A full-time tenant arrived in 2012, when
730-742: A minor-league baseball team, the Johnstown Johnnies , beginning in 1884. The last team to play as the Johnnies, as a part of the Frontier League , left the city in 2002. Johnstown also hosts the annual Sunnehanna Amateur golf tournament at its Sunnehanna Country Club. The invitational tournament hosts top amateur golfers from around the United States. Johnstown is home to the Flood City Water Polo team. Established in 2005 by Zachary Puhala,
803-484: A month. The Cambria Works grew, and Johnstown became more prosperous than ever. The disaster had not destroyed the community but strengthened it. Later generations would draw on lessons learned in 1889. After the successful merger of six surrounding boroughs, Johnstown became a city on April 7, 1890. In 1923, Johnstown Mayor Joseph Cauffiel ordered the expulsion of all African-Americans and Mexicans in Johnstown who had lived in Johnstown for less than seven years. The edict
SECTION 10
#1732873136253876-440: A new 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m ) Regional Technology Complex that will house a division of Northrop Grumman , among other tenants—signal the increasing dependence of Johnstown's economy on the U.S. government's defense budget. The high-tech defense industry is now the main non-health-care staple of the Johnstown economy, with the region pulling in well over $ 100M annually in federal government contracts, punctuated by one of
949-484: Is held at the Point Stadium in downtown Johnstown. The Flood City Music Festival is held at Peoples Natural Gas Park. The Sunnehanna Amateur golf tournament is held once a year at Sunnehanna Country Club. Professional golfers have played in this tournament as amateurs such as Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer . Johnstown has been home to a long succession of minor league hockey franchises dating back to 1940. One of
1022-560: Is land and 5.3 square miles (14 km ) (0.8%) is water. Cambria has a warm-summer humid continental climate ( Dfb ) and average monthly temperatures in downtown Johnstown range from 27.8 °F in January to 71.0 °F in July, while in Ebensburg they range from 23.9 °F in January to 67.7 °F in July. PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State U Cambria County is one of the 423 counties served by
1095-606: Is located at 401 Main Street. The mayor of Johnstown is Frank Janakovic, and the Deputy Mayor is Marie Mock. Colleges: Secondary education: Technology schools: Libraries: Johnstown's television market is part of the Johnstown/ Altoona / State College market. NBC affiliate WJAC-TV 6 (which also operates the market's CW affiliate through The CW Plus on its DT4 subchannel) and Fox affiliate WWCP-TV 8 are licensed in
1168-552: Is reported at 9%. Most of the jobs center around health care, defense, telemarketing and retail. A reduction in steel production also reduced coal mining in Pennsylvania, which was important to the Johnstown economy. In 1982, Johnstown's longest-serving mayor, Herbert Pfuhl Jr. , said that, as a result of the decline, city revenues had fallen approximately 35 percent. The Johnstown economy later recovered somewhat, largely due to industry around health care and high-tech defense, but
1241-570: Is the principal city of the Johnstown metropolitan area , which is located in Cambria County and had 133,472 residents in 2020. It is also part of the Johnstown–Somerset combined statistical area, which includes both Cambria and Somerset Counties. Johnstown was settled in 1770. The city has experienced three major floods in its history. The Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889, occurred after
1314-482: The 1977 flood was heavy and there was talk of the company pulling out. Again, the city won a reprieve from the company's top management, which had always regarded the Johnstown works with special affection because of its history and reputation. As the increasing amount of federal environmental regulations became more difficult to comply with and the issues with the aging manufacturing facilities grew more significant, and as steel companies began closing down plants all over
1387-723: The Appalachian Regional Commission , and it is identified as part of "Greater Appalachia" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America . As of the census of 2000, there were 152,598 people, 60,531 households, and 40,616 families residing in the county. The population density was 222 people per square mile (86 people/km ). There were 65,796 housing units at an average density of 96 units per square mile (37/km ). The racial makeup of
1460-566: The Conemaugh River . The bridge still stands today. The Johnstown flood of 1889 established the American Red Cross as the pre-eminent emergency relief organization in the United States. Founder Clara Barton , then 67, came to Johnstown with 50 doctors and nurses and set up tent hospitals as well as temporary "hotels" for the homeless, and stayed on for five months to coordinate relief efforts. The mills were back in operation within
1533-1015: The East Coast that has had massive growth in the health care industry. Major health care centers include Memorial Medical Center and Windber Medical Center, the Laurel Highlands Neuro-Rehabilitation Center, and the John P. Murtha Neuroscience and Pain Institute, with its advances in treating wounded veterans, and the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center's focus on early diagnosis and advanced treatment. The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College attract thousands of students to their contiguous campuses in Richland , 5 miles (8 km) east of Johnstown. Cambria-Rowe Business College, located in
SECTION 20
#17328731362531606-549: The Great Depression left Johnstown struggling again. Seeking a permanent solution to the flooding problem, Johnstown's citizens wrote to President Franklin Roosevelt pleading for federal aid. In August 1938, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers launched a five-year project that gouged, widened, deepened, and moved 9.2 miles (14.8 km) of river channel in the city, and encased the river banks in concrete and reinforced steel. In
1679-420: The Johnstown Tomahawks of the junior North American Hockey League began play. The recently established ART WORKS in Johnstown! houses artist studios in some of the area's architecturally significant but underused industrial buildings. The ART WORKS in Johnstown project is projected to be a non-profit LEED-certified green building. The Frank & Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center opened in 2001 with
1752-670: The Montreal Canadiens on November 20, 1951. Newcomers to the town heard little about the tragic past. Johnstown proclaimed itself "flood-free", a feeling reinforced when Johnstown was virtually the only riverside city in Pennsylvania not to flood during Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The immediate post- World War II years marked Johnstown's peak as a steel maker and fabricator. At its peak, steel provided Johnstowners with more than 13,000 full-time, well-paying jobs. However, increased domestic and foreign competition, coupled with Johnstown's relative distance from its primary iron ore source in
1825-580: The Moxham section of Johnstown, which offered concentrated career training and had continuously served Johnstown since 1891 closed in 2016 after loss of accreditation. The Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, a concert/theatrical venue at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, attracts high-quality performers. The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and the recently formed Johnstown Symphony Chamber Players provide classical music. The Johnstown Concert Ballet, centered in
1898-526: The Northeast to the city of Johnstown since 1998. Well over 200,000 participants enjoyed the 2008 edition of Thunder in the Valley, and the event continues to grow in size. Significant efforts have been made to deal with deteriorating housing, brownfields , drug problems, and other issues as population leaves the city limits and concentrates in suburban boroughs and townships. The Johnstown Fire Department has become
1971-584: The South Fork Dam collapsed 14.1 miles (22.7 km) upstream from the city during heavy rains . At least 2,209 people died as a result of the flood and subsequent fire that raged through the debris. Another major flood occurred in 1936. Despite a pledge by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to make the city flood free, and despite subsequent work to do so, another major flood occurred in 1977. Before becoming an independent town, Windber, Pennsylvania
2044-621: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 6.111 square miles (15.83 km ), of which 5.913 square miles (15.31 km ) is land and 0.198 square miles (0.51 km ) is water. The Conemaugh River forms at Johnstown at the confluence of its tributaries, the Stonycreek River and the Little Conemaugh . Johnstown is divided into many neighborhoods, each with its own unique, ethnic feel. These include
2117-403: The 2010 census, there were 9,917 households, of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.5% were headed by married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.7% were non-families. Of all households, 43.0% were made up of individuals, and 17.9% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
2190-470: The Cambria Works was a huge enterprise sprawling over 60 acres (24 ha) in Johnstown and employing 7,000. It owned 40,000 acres (160 km ) of valuable mineral lands in a region with a ready supply of iron, coal and limestone . Floods were almost a yearly event in the valley during the 1880s. On the afternoon of May 30, 1889, following a quiet Memorial Day ceremony and a parade, it began raining in
2263-480: The Downtown Business District, Kernville, Hornerstown, Roxbury, Old Conemaugh Borough, Prospect, Woodvale, Minersville, Cambria City, Morrellville (West End), Oakhurst, Coopersdale, Walnut Grove, Moxham and the 8th Ward. Before 1900, the town of Windber, Pennsylvania , was a suburb of Johnstown, until its incorporation. The borough of Dale is an enclave located within the city of Johnstown, situated on
North Western Railroad - Misplaced Pages Continue
2336-533: The Historic Cambria City District, provides classical ballet performances and training to the area. The Pasquerilla Convention Center was recently constructed downtown, adjacent to the historic Cambria County War Memorial Arena at 326 Napoleon Street. Point Stadium , a baseball park where Babe Ruth once played, was razed and rebuilt. A zoning ordinance created an artist zone and a traditional neighborhood zone to encourage both artistic endeavors and
2409-742: The North Western Railroad was New Castle in Lawrence County. The North Western intended to connect with the Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad there. The New Castle connection was important: The Pennsylvania Railroad ("the Pennsy") was a standard gauge road, as was the Cleveland and Mahoning. Until this point in time, the Pennsy could send no railcars west of Pittsburgh , since its connections there were with broad gauge railroads. By sending its cars over
2482-557: The North Western and the Cleveland and Mahoning, the Pennsy could move freight all the way to Chicago without the need for transshipment . The route of the North Western Railroad was determined by its chief engineer, Robert Clark. The route he selected largely followed streams and rivers to achieve the lowest possible slope. Clark left the railroad's employ soon after finishing the route survey. The planned route required an 800-foot (240 m) long tunnel between Butler and Freeport, and
2555-648: The Pennsylvania- Ohio state boundary somewhere within Lawrence County, Pennsylvania . The charter permitted each county through which the railroad passed to purchase stock worth up to 10 percent of the assessed value of the railroad. Butler and Lawrence counties both did so. Later in 1853, the Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted legislation amending the railroad's charter, permitting the city of Philadelphia to purchase up to 15,000 shares of
2628-576: The Pittsburgh area, but would continue to be available in Johnstown until September 2019 as the market's default CW affiliate. Cambria County, Pennsylvania Cambria County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania . As of the 2020 census , the population was 133,472. Its county seat is Ebensburg . The county was created on March 26, 1804, from parts of Bedford , Huntingdon , and Somerset counties and later organized in 1807. It
2701-429: The age of 18 living with them, 52.80% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96. In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.00% under
2774-443: The age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 19.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males. Chart of Voter Registration Cambria was a swing county in statewide elections until the 2010s, with all four statewide winners carrying it in 2008. Al Gore received 50.3% of
2847-533: The bondholders of the North Western Railroad took control of the company as part of a foreclosure proceeding. They obtained a charter for a new railroad, the Western Pennsylvania Railroad, and transferred control of the North Western to this new company. The Western Pennsylvania Railroad was in turn purchased by the Pennsy in 1862, which completed the line to Saltsburg in 1863. Traffic began running from Blairsville to Saltsburg while work continued on
2920-547: The cash prize, the arena won the opportunity to host the September 29, 2015, NHL pre-season game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning . Per WJAC; in the year 2022, Johnstown has had 12 homicides as of August. Statistics have not been updated since 2018 — The chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Johnstown are 1 in 184 where the average for Pennsylvania is 1 in 316.” The Johnstown City Hall
2993-433: The city was $ 23,785, and the median income for a family was $ 32,221. Male full-time workers had a median income of $ 31,026 versus $ 28,858 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 15,511. 34.2% of the population and 26.9% of families were below the poverty line . Of the total population, 55.0% of those under the age of 18 and 18.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. The unemployment average
North Western Railroad - Misplaced Pages Continue
3066-458: The city was 80.0% White , 14.6% African American , 0.2% Native American , 0.2% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.7% some other race , and 4.3% from two or more races . Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.1% of the population. In the three-year period ending in 2010, it was estimated that 22.3% of the population were of German , 15.8% Irish , 12.9% Italian , 7.7% Slovak , 6.7% English , 5.6% Polish , and 6.1% American ancestry. At
3139-536: The city was a port and key transfer point along the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal . Johnstown was at the head of the canal's western branch, with canal boats having been transported over the mountains via the Allegheny Portage Railroad and refloated here, to continue the trip by water to Pittsburgh and the Ohio Valley . Perhaps the most famous passenger who traveled via the canal to visit Johnstown briefly
3212-785: The city. Johnstown is also served by CBS affiliate WTAJ-TV 10 and ABC affiliate WATM-TV 23, both based in Altoona, and State College-based PBS member station WPSU-TV 3, licensed to Clearfield but based on the Pennsylvania State University campus. Several other low-power stations, including WHVL-LD 29 ( MyNetworkTV ) in State College, also transmit to Johnstown. WPKD-TV 19, the CW's affiliate in Pittsburgh licensed to Jeannette , began operations in Johnstown and later moved to serve
3285-527: The country, by 1982 it looked as if Johnstown had exhausted its appeals. By the early 1990s, Johnstown abandoned most of its steel production, although some limited fabrication work continues. In 2003, U.S. Census data showed that Johnstown was the least likely city in the United States to attract newcomers; however, what were previously relatively weak opportunities provided by the local manufacturing and service economies have more recently begun to burgeon, attracting outsiders. Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica ,
3358-761: The county is regulated by the Cambria County Solid Waste Management Authority . According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Ed Names and Addresses, July 1, 2015 There are two Pennsylvania state parks in Cambria County. Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities , boroughs , townships , and, in at most two cases, towns . The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Cambria County: Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by
3431-562: The county vote to 46.4% for George W. Bush in 2000, but Bush carried it with 50.8% of the vote to 48.7% for John Kerry in 2004–only the third time since 1928 that the county had supported a Republican for president. Cambria returned to the Democratic presidential column in 2008, with Barack Obama receiving 49.4% of the vote to 48.7% for John McCain . In 2011 the GOP won a majority on the county commissioners board and in 2012 gave Mitt Romney 58.1% of
3504-461: The county was 95.80% White , 2.83% Black or African American , 0.09% Native American , 0.38% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.25% from other races , and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 27.7% were of German , 10.2% Irish , 10.1% Italian , 10.0% Polish , 6.5% Slovak , 6.2% American and 5.6% English ancestry. There were 60,531 households, out of which 27.00% had children under
3577-505: The edict. In the early 20th century, the population reached 67,000 people. The city's first commercial radio station, WJAC , began broadcasts in 1925. The downtown boasted at least five major department stores, including Glosser Brothers, which in the 1950s gave birth to the Gee Bee chain of department stores. However, the St Patrick's Day flood of 1936 combined with the gnawing effects of
3650-548: The historic Cambria City section of town, which boasts a variety of eastern European ethnic churches and social halls. This neighborhood hosted the National Folk Festival for three years in the early 1990s, which expanded into the Flood City Music Festival . Johnstown also hosts the annual Thunder in the Valley motorcycle rally during the fourth week of June; the event has attracted motorcyclists from across
3723-493: The host city for the AAABA Baseball Tournament held each summer. Several Major League Baseball players have played on AAABA teams over the years, including Hall-of Famers Al Kaline and Reggie Jackson and former Major League managers Joe Torre and Bruce Bochy . The organization also has its own Hall of Fame instituted in its 50th anniversary year of 1994. In addition, the city has hosted several incarnations of
SECTION 50
#17328731362533796-712: The more recent manifestations, the Johnstown Chiefs , were named for their Slap Shot counterparts. The team made their debut in January 1988 with the All-American Hockey League , joining the league midway through the season. After one season in the AAHL, the Chiefs became one of five teams to join the newly founded East Coast Hockey League (now ECHL). The team announced in February 2010 that they would be leaving Johnstown for
3869-403: The old-fashioned "Mom and Pop" enterprises that had difficulty thriving under the previous code. The Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center offers many exhibitions, events, performances, and classes that celebrate the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the area. The Johnstown Chiefs ice hockey team played for 22 seasons, the longest period a franchise of the league stayed in one city. The Chiefs were
3942-412: The permanent exhibit "America: Through Immigrant Eyes", which tells the story of immigration to the area during the Industrial Revolution . In June 2009, the Heritage Discovery Center opened the Johnstown Children's Museum and premiered "The Mystery of Steel", a film detailing the history of steel in Johnstown. The Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center, ART WORKS, and the Heritage Discovery Center are located in
4015-427: The population. 22.8% of residents were under the age of 18, 4.9% were under 5 years of age, and 19.5% were 65 and older. As of the 2010 census , there were 20,978 people, 9,917 households, and 5,086 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,559.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,374.4/km ). There were 11,978 housing units at an average density of 2,030.2 per square mile (783.9/km ). The racial makeup of
4088-416: The premier defense trade shows in the U.S., the annual Showcase for Commerce. Johnstown remains a regional medical, educational, cultural, and communications center. As in many other locales, health care provides a significant percentage of the employment opportunities in the city. The region is located right in the middle of the "Health Belt", an area stretching from the Midwest to New England and down
4161-435: The railroad. In return, the city was to be given three seats on the railroad's board of directors. The city also made its purchase. Another $ 800,000 ($ 29,300,000 in 2023 dollars) in bonds were sold to finance construction. The North Western Railroad settled on Blairsville as its eastern terminus. A 2.5 miles (4.0 km) branch line connected it with the Indiana Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The western terminus of
4234-444: The rest of the line to Allegheny Junction. This latter part of the line opened to traffic in the fall of 1864. The Pennsy then extended the line to Freeport, and opened the last leg of the line on August 1, 1865. Johnstown, Pennsylvania Johnstown is the largest city in Cambria County , Pennsylvania , United States. The population was 18,411 as of the 2020 census . Located 57 miles (92 km) east of Pittsburgh , it
4307-538: The southeast side of the city between Hornerstown and Walnut Grove. As of the 2020 census , there were 18,411 people, 8,574 households, and 4,399 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,104.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,198.7/km ). There were 11,133 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 68.1% White , 20.9% African American , 0.2% Native American , 0.4% Asian , 0.0% Pacific Islander , 1.2% from some other races and 9.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.2% of
4380-408: The steel company, city leaders organized an association called Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI) and, within a year, raised $ 3 million for industrial development in the area. Bethlehem Steel, which was the major contributor to the fund, committed itself to bringing new steelmaking technologies to Johnstown because they were impressed by the city's own efforts to diversify. Extensive damage from
4453-487: The team takes its name from the history of floods in the area. FCWP is part of the American Water Polo Organization. On May 2, 2015, Johnstown was announced as the winner of the 2015 Kraft Hockeyville USA contest and was awarded $ 150,000 toward improvements of the Cambria County War Memorial Arena . The contest was sponsored through a partnership between Kraft Foods , the National Hockey League (NHL) , and National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA). In addition to
SECTION 60
#17328731362534526-401: The town of Johnstown. By 1860, the Cambria Iron Company of Johnstown was the leading steel producer in the United States, outproducing steel giants in Pittsburgh and Cleveland . Through the second half of the 19th century, Johnstown made much of the nation's barbed wire . Johnstown prospered from skyrocketing demand in the western United States for barbed wire. Twenty years after its founding,
4599-429: The valley. The next day water filled the streets, and rumors began that a dam holding an artificial lake in the mountains to the northeast might give way. It did, and an estimated 20 million tons of water began spilling into the winding gorge that led to Johnstown some 14 miles (23 km) away. The destruction in Johnstown occurred in only about 10 minutes. What had been a thriving steel town with homes, churches, saloons,
4672-448: The vote to Barack Obama's 40.1%. In 2016, Donald Trump carried the county with 66.5% of the vote to Hillary Clinton's 29.7%, winning the county by 36.8%. This broke the modern record for margin of victory in the county of 35.4% set by Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Four years later, Trump won the county with an even bigger margin of 37.34%. As of April 29, 2024, there were 84,932 registered voters in Cambria County. Waste management for
4745-448: The western Great Lakes , led to a steady decline in profitability. New capital investment waned. Johnstown's mountainous terrain, and the resulting poor layout for the mills' physical plant strung along 11 miles (18 km) of river bottom lands, compounded the problem. New regulations ordered by the EPA in the 1970s also hit Johnstown, with the aging Cambria plant (now Bethlehem Steel ) especially hard. However, with encouragement from
4818-465: The work of grading the route and building bridges was supervised by the new chief engineer, Samuel H. Kneass. By 1860, Kneass had graded and ballasted the line from Blairsville to Allegheny Junction in Butler County. Past Allegheny Junction, some grading had been completed in Butler but not Lawrence county. The superstructure of some bridges along the line was also complete. The North Western Railroad ran out of construction funds in 1858. On July 5, 1859,
4891-471: Was Charles Dickens in 1842. By 1854, canal transport became redundant with the completion of the Pennsylvania Railroad , which now spanned the state. With the coming of the railroads, the city's growth improved. Johnstown became a stop on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad and was connected with the Baltimore & Ohio . The railroads provided large-scale development of the region's mineral wealth. Iron , coal , and steel quickly became central to
4964-404: Was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.87. The age distribution was 21.7% under 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 or older. The median age was 41.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males. For the period 2011–2013, the estimated median annual income for a household in
5037-553: Was considered a part of the city. The city is home to five national historic districts : the Downtown Johnstown Historic District , Cambria City Historic District , Minersville Historic District , Moxham Historic District , and Old Conemaugh Borough Historic District . Individual listings on the National Register of Historic Places are the Grand Army of the Republic Hall , Cambria Iron Company , Cambria Public Library Building , Bridge in Johnstown City , Nathan's Department Store , and Johnstown Inclined Railway . A settlement
5110-470: Was established here in 1791 by Joseph Johns, in whose honor it was named, and the place was soon laid out as a town. Johnstown was formally platted as Conemaugh Old Town in 1800 by the Swiss German immigrant Joseph Johns (born Josef Schantz). The settlement was initially known as "Schantzstadt", but was soon anglicized to Johnstown. The community incorporated as Conemaugh borough January 12, 1831, but renamed Johnstown on April 14, 1834. From 1834 to 1854,
5183-497: Was in response to a deadly shootout between Robert Young, a black man, and Johnstown police officers. African-Americans had settled in the Rosedale neighborhood during the Great Migration . Although Cauffiel's edict of expulsion was without legal force, some 500 African-Americans fled the city. The Ku Klux Klan burned 12 crosses outside Johnstown in an attempt to intimidate Rosedale's Black population. Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot intervened to prevent Cauffiel from enforcing
5256-637: Was named for the nation of Wales , which in Latin is known as " Cambria ". The county is part of the Southwest Pennsylvania region of the state. Cambria County comprises the Johnstown, PA metropolitan statistical area , which is also included in the Johnstown- Somerset, PA combined statistical area . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 694 square miles (1,800 km ), of which 688 square miles (1,780 km )
5329-429: Was reported to be the third-fastest shrinking city in the U.S. in 2017. Nonetheless, in 2018, Johnstown was ranked 169th among "The Best Small Places For Business And Careers" in the U.S., by Forbes . Major employers in the area include: Johnstown hosts a number of events each year. "Thunder in the Valley" is a motorcycle rally with weekend crowds ranging from 150,000 to 200,000. The AAABA amateur baseball tournament
#252747